Residents takes 'steps' in fight against cancer

Posted: Monday, July 12, 2010

By Klas Stolpe

Cancer can't silence a 13-year old future rock star playing in front of a live audience for the first time. Nor can it slow down a poodle in a pink sweater. And it can't defeat pirates, cowboys, or even kids dancing in the rain.

Those were among the multitude of Juneau residents who gathered at the Dimond Park Fieldhouse over the weekend in support of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

"It was fun, it was lots of fun," said Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School guitarist Jason Hock, 13, of his debut guitar set. "I know some people with cancer, not really well, but you don't have to know someone to show support. I think this is a good thing."

Hock, part of The New Rock Legends, was standing in with rock band The Missing Link and throwing down 70's chords with the band's Brian Messing.

Crowds gathered in shades of pink and purple in support of the relay, with more than 30 teams and many individual participants who registered for the 24-hour walk. They were there to honor loved ones lost, to celebrate those who have battled, and to fight back against the disease. Themed laps and activities lifted spirits and inspired hope.

Rich and Peggy Mattson walked in raingear with big, sunny smiles.

"I am a survivor," Peggy Mattson said. "My mother died from cancer and I have another friend who is in Seattle right now being treated for breast cancer. It is just a good way to support everybody."

Cancer couldn't deter Hoonah's Howard Gray from camping overnight with his cousin, Jesse Schoonover, and 8-year-old niece, Amy, from North Douglas. Howard's mother, Liv Gray, was a former Hoonah mayor and passed away from breast cancer in 2007 at age 58.

"This is in memory of my mother," Gray said. "My cousin told me about this relay and I came down, got involved, and now I am not leaving."

"We try to get the youth involved in committees too," Norberg said. "It is so important to raise awareness whenever and whereever we can."

The disease could not control the brother who battled prostrate cancer in Petersburg, the man who encouraged his girlfriend to walk laps until 6 a.m., the tiny child who misses the hugs of her grandpa, or the local pledges that came in totaling more than $50,000.

"This is our biggest fundraiser," she said. "To see the people here giving, and the silent auction sponsors, ... so many do care."

As the Relay For Life came to a close, cancer couldn't trip up the military-themed dance duo Jamie Parker and Houston Laws, as they flipped and spun in a swing dance for the ages at the center of the dirt ball park amidst falling rain. Parker's great aunt, Sybel Rose, passed to cancer, and her father, Greg Parker, is currently in Seattle battling the disease.

"We enjoy being here, doing this," she said. "This is special for everyone. I think if we remember, then they are not lost and cancer has not won."